Anti-war activists have accused the Government of allowing the Aerodrome's use as a US military stopover hub, with recent protests leading to arrests[7] and in March 2002, Michael Smith, the Minister for Defence, confirmed that since September 2001, 22 US military aircraft had landed at the aerodrome.[8] There has also been speculation since the early 2000s that Casement Aerodrome is used as an airport by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for their extraordinary rendition programme. Similar claims have been made with regards to Shannon Airport, but as Baldonnel is a military airport, it is impossible to verify.[9]

Queen Elizabeth II landed at Casement Aerodrome on 17 May 2011, beginning her state visit to Ireland.